Metro Wireless Brings Peplink & Starlink Solution Within Reach for Remote Site
Metro Wireless specializes in delivering connectivity solutions to underserved and remote areas. With limited connectivity in those locations, they leverage advanced technologies to provide robust connectivity. When an existing oil & gas client’s site faces connectivity challenges due to its environment, Metro Wireless tailors a combined Peplink & Starlink solution to ensure reliable and high-performance connectivity.
Challenge
While Metro Wireless’ Managed LTE/5G Wireless Internet is used by the oil & gas client in multiple job sites, one of their sites required an expanded solution for a new manufacturing facility. Along with three existing trailers, this site has significantly more users which would require more bandwidth.
With a pairing of Peplink routers and directional antennas, the client was able to establish good signal reception from the cellular towers a mile away. However, throughput was insufficient as more and more users were dependent on the few cellular towers and the network was easily congested. This led Metro Wireless to believe that cellular connectivity alone would not be enough.
Solution
As more nearby cellular towers will be erected in the near future, the client opted to retain a 5G solution. In addition to this, they sought to add a Starlink component to leverage the open space for remote connectivity. Through FrontierUS, Metro Wireless acquired and deployed a BR1 Pro 5G to each trailer along with a Starlink Flat High Performance.
Both cellular and Starlink connections were configured to run through the Peplink router. Using SpeedFusion technology, the client can either bond the 5G and Starlink connections for improved throughput, or seamlessly fail over between connections when one disconnects.
Result
Metro Wireless installed the robust solution quickly and with no issue. After configuring the devices and dishes, the team ran tests and discovered a new cellular tower nearby. By equipping the BR1 Pro 5G with a new SIM, they instantly enhanced the network’s performance, reducing latency.
When bonded through SpeedFusion, more bandwidth is made available, offering faster speeds and higher throughput, allowing for more users or intensive applications. This also secured the client with redundancy, providing distinct internet paths and Hot Failover seamlessly switching to the 5G connection should the Starlink connection drop.
Within the following month, the network saw a drop in Starlink connectivity due to a nationwide outage. With failover technology already set up, the BR1 Pro 5G routed traffic at the site to the available cellular connection, leaving the client with zero downtime. InControl’s InTouch was instrumental in providing remote access to the network’s peripherals without requiring a technician onsite.
During the outage, the client also leveraged the Static IP Block made available by SpeedFusion and Metro Wireless. Even when traffic was routed through a different connection, they were able to retain the same /29 Static IP block. With a combined Peplink & Starlink solution in place, Metro Wireless’ client was able to avoid any costly interruptions to their operations.
Deployment
- Deployed to each trailer at the Metro Wireless’ client’s site
- Routes traffic via Starlink or cellular connectivity
- Enables SpeedFusion for bonding or failover of connections
